The recent intervention of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in the debate on the State of the Union, marks a turning point for the future of Europe. Beyond the geopolitical, economic and social situation, Von der Leyen placed technology, innovation and the digital industry at the center of the European roadmap.
The message is clear: Europe’s competitiveness depends on its ability to lead the digital revolution. And that will only be possible if we are able to invest strategically, simplify the regulatory framework and create a favorable environment so that our companies can innovate, grow and compete on a global scale.
One of the most relevant milestones for our sector was the express mention of the European Declaration on AI and Technologypromoted by Digital Europe, and signed by CEOs of large companies and business associations. This document includes specific measures and priority projects that the technology sector considers essential to guarantee Europe’s digital sovereignty.
Among the initiatives announced, it is worth highlighting the creation of a European Competitiveness Fund and a technological scale-up fund with private capitalaimed at supporting expanding companies in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum or biotechnology. These tools are essential to prevent European talent from being forced to emigrate and to consolidate a robust business fabric on our continent.
The speech also put the emphasis on artificial intelligence, with the announcement of the launch of AI gigafactories that will support startups and research centers in training advanced models. This is a key step so that Europe does not fall behind other technological powers.
Another of the great commitments is regulatory simplification: Von der Leyen announced a package with a potential impact of savings of 8,000 million euros per year in bureaucratic costs. A measure that we especially value from the digital industry, because freeing up resources from the administration means more capacity to innovate, invest and create jobs.
The energy transition and clean technologies were also protagonists, with initiatives such as the Pact for a Clean Industry, the additional investment of 1.8 billion euros in batteries and the firm commitment to the “Made in Europe” principle in public procurement. A vision that reinforces the idea that sustainability and digital are not separate pathsbut two sides of the same coin.
Finally, the president of the European Commission stressed the importance of technological sovereignty in a complex international context. The diversification of trade partners, the creation of an international coalition on digital matters and the commitment to a European Defense Union that includes cybersecurity and the protection of critical infrastructures are messages that we cannot ignore.
Europe is at a decisive moment. The roadmap presented by Von der Leyen is ambitious and realistic at the same time: it highlights the role of the digital industry as a lever of competitiveness, innovation and strategic autonomy.
Because only with a strong, innovative and competitive digital industry will Europe be able to guarantee its economic, technological and social future.
*** Francisco Hortigüela, president of Ametic.
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